Muscles Matter!

 

According to Harvard Health Publishing, after age 30 we begin to lose as much as 3% to 5% of our muscles per decade. For men, they can assume they will lose approximately 30% of their muscle mass during the course of their lifetimes. Muscles matter. It’s never too early (or to late) to muscle up!

Role of Muscles

Did you know that there are more than 600 muscles in your body? They are found from head to toe and help you do literally everything including waking, lifting, playing sports, getting into (and out of) your favorite chair, opening a jar, pumping blood through your body, talking, eating, and breathing…just to name a few.

Through proper exercise, rest, and diet, we can keep our muscles working for us for life. However, if you’ve noticed that it’s getting more difficult to open jars or gripping anything, if you’re having trouble walking up stairs or notice you’re walking more slowly than usual – things like this can be indicators of decreasing strength.

Life Without Muscles

As we age, muscle loss, known as sarcopenia, can affect our energy, mobility, and strength. If left unchecked it can lead to reduced physical capacity which can lead to reduced socializing, exercising, and even just managing small everyday tasks.

Aging Better

By developing muscular strength and endurance, regardless of our age, we can continue to enjoy a healthy, injury free life and an active, independent lifestyle. So, we’ll build healthier bones, maintain good posture, and have more stability, balance, and flexibility as we age.

If you feel you need some help to maintain or build strength and endurance, find a local gym or YMCA near you, hire a fitness coach, or join a fitness group. Make sure that you enjoy whatever activity you choose so that you’re more likely to see it as an ongoing addition to your lifestyle. Unfortunately, muscling up is not one and done!

If you’re not sure your diet is supportive of maintaining or building muscle mass, consult a nutritionist.

Spine and Nervous System

However, if you really want to maintain overall health including your strength and healthy frame for life, remember that the spine is the main support for your body. Without the spine, the strongest muscles in the world won’t allow you to stand, bend, walk – or do much of anything. Without a highly functioning nervous system, no parts of the body would be communicating with each other.

So, to take care of your muscles and every other part of your body, make sure that your spine and nervous system are working at their peak. Find a 100 Year Lifestyle provider near you today. They can work with you to make sure your entire body – muscles and all – are functioning as optimally as possible for 100 years or more!